OTTAWA, Jan. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Canada will double its aid to tsunami-hit countries in South and Southeast Asia to 66 million US dollars,Prime Minister Paul Martin said Sunday.

    Canada is doubling its financial contributions from 40 million to at least 80 million Canadian dollars, making Canada among the top financial contributors worldwide, Martin said after a meeting with key cabinet ministers and diplomats from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

    He said three cabinet ministers will go to South Asia to determine what additional aid may be needed in the beleaguered nations where more than 150,000 have been feared killed in the disaster. Five Canadians were among the dead, and up to 150 othersare still missing one week after the tsunami.

    Canada's 200-strong military disaster assistance team will likely go, and 10 Royal Canadian Mounted Police forensic experts will also be sent to help with identifying the dead.

    Martin also announced a national memorial service for all victims on Saturday in Ottawa. Flags on all federal buildings willfly at half-mast to mourn the dead.

    Canada has already sent two planeloads of emergency supplies and has placed a moratorium on the repayment of the debts owed by the affected countries. Enditem